As we look to the future and the changing needs of our students, I’m excited to introduce a new multi-year initiative within the Division of Student Affairs called Redefining Student Support. This initiative ensures students are continually at the center of all we do and our departments are working together with greater efficiency, flexibility and fluidity to serve and support students holistically.
Associate Vice Chancellor Dr. Akirah Bradley
Assistant Vice Chancellor Jennifer McDuffie
Assistant Vice Chancellor Dr. Dyonne Bergeron
Interim Dean of Students Andrea Zelinko
With the initiative, the division is now organized around the key areas of student life and engagement; health and wellness; and student support and development to foster greater collaboration within our departments, the division and across campus.
Student life and engagement
Associate Vice Chancellor Akirah Bradley will lead our focus on student life and engagement.
The student affairs departments that report to AVC Bradley include the Center for Student Involvement, the Environmental Center, Housing & Dining Services, New Student and Family Programs, Off-Campus Housing and Neighborhood Relations, Residence Life and the University Memorial Center (UMC). These departments are all heavily involved and interconnected with how students engage with the campus community, from their new student experience to how they live, eat, work and get involved on campus.
Health and wellness
Our focus on health and wellness will be led by Assistant Vice Chancellor Jennifer McDuffie.
CU Collegiate Recovery, Counseling and Psychiatric Services, Health Promotion, the Office of Victim Assistance, Recreation Services and Wardenburg Health Services report to AVC McDuffie. These departments support students in maintaining and improving all aspects of their well-being to enhance their student experience.
Student support and development
Assistant Vice Chancellor Dyonne Bergeron will lead our student support and development focus.
She oversees Career Services, CU Student Government professional staff, the Dean of Students (Office of Student Conduct and Conflict Resolution, Student Legal Services and Student Support and Case Management), Intergroup Relations (Cultural Unity and Engagement Center, the Gender and Sexuality Center and Women’s Resource Center), Veterans Services and the Volunteer Resource Center. These departments serve underrepresented student populations, cultivate identity development, advocate for students and assist students with future plans and goals.
Interim dean of students
Another aspect of the Redefining Student Support initiative is the separation of the associate vice chancellor and dean of students roles. Historically, the positions of associate vice chancellor and dean of students have been combined, but the separation will allow the dean of students to better meet the needs of high-risk students, serve in a triage role in crises and speak as an advocate for students.
We are conducting a national search to fill this role. Until then, Andrea Zelinko will fill the role of interim dean of students. Zelinko is currently the director of the UMC and was selected to serve as interim because of her understanding of students and student issues, her strong ability to triage and manage crisis and her knowledge of CU Boulder campus policy.
While she is filling the dean of students role, Jimmie Baker will act as interim director for the UMC. He is currently the senior associate director for operations and services for the UMC.
I’m confident our strong leadership team within the division will provide forward-thinking direction and support in our new initiative and focus areas. We are excited for the collaboration and innovation possibilities for the Division of Student Affairs and the opportunities to forge new partnerships as we work together to holistically support our students.
Christina Gonzales,
Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs
